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Miami Dade College’s Renowned VITA Program and Popular Community Bank to Partner on Tax Preparation Events Feb. 16

TAX FORM 1

Miami, February 4, 2013 - Miami Dade College’s (MDC) acclaimed Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is partnering with Popular Community Bank on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, for tax preparation events at four of the bank’s branches.  

VITA student volunteers and faculty from MDC will be present to provide services at the following Popular Community Bank branches:  1) Miami Lakes, 7900 Miami Lakes Drive W., Miami Lakes, FL 33016 (North Campus);   2) Hialeah, 1620 West 49th St., Hialeah, FL 33012 (Hialeah Campus); 3) Dadeland, 8875 S. Dadeland Blvd., Miami, FL 33156 (Kendall and Homestead Campuses); and 4) Coral Gables, 2317 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134 (InterAmerican and Wolfson Campuses).

MDC’s VITA program is administered and staffed by MDC faculty and business students who volunteer their time to help the public in preparing their tax forms. Students are trained and must pass an IRS exam of basic rules, regulations, and tax preparation skills before they can assist taxpayers. Divided into groups, their functions are administrative, tax return preparation, and quality review. The VITA program was started decades ago by the Internal Revenue Service in an attempt to help those who need specialized attention in preparing their tax forms.

“The people from the community are delighted that we have this program because it’s truly helping them. Most of the time these are individuals who cannot afford to pay a tax preparer, so they’re thankful that we have this excellent service available,” said Dr. Ana M. Cruz, Wolfson Campus business chairperson and longtime VITA coordinator. “We will also be hosting our regular events at our campuses in the coming weeks.”

“We applaud MDC’s VITA program and thoroughly support their efforts, to bring greater awareness to the community and provide this very important service,” said Israel Velasco, region executive, South Florida for Popular Community Bank.

Federal income tax returns must be in the mail and postmarked no later than April 15, 2013.

MDC VITA – Popular Community Bank Tax Preparation Events

  • WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 16, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • WHERE: Miami Lakes Branch, 7900 Miami Lakes Drive W. Hialeah Branch, 1620 West 49th St. Dadeland Branch, 8875 S. Dadeland Blvd. Coral Gables Branch, 2317 Ponce de Leon Blvd
  • COST: Free

For more information regarding the VITA program, please contact Dr. Cruz at acruz1@mdc.edu or (305) 237-7139

Popular Community Bank Media Contact:Frances Del Valle, (212) 717-5499 or fran@influencecentral.com

Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Roxana Romero, 305-237-3366, rromero3@mdc.edu, media specialist
Kai Hill, 305-237-3359, khill1@mdc.edu, media specialist
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu


Miami Dade College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Miami Dade College.
Miami Dade College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, marital status, age, religion, national origin,
disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or genetic information. Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA Coordinator, at 305.237.2577 for information.
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